A Kingston police officer who made more than 65,000 indecent images of children has been spared jail.

Peter Ba Han, 55, has already been sacked from the force for downloading 65,131 indecent images of children and 336 movie files, some of which were of the “most extreme kind”.

He was given a 20-month prison sentence, suspended for 24 months, at at Southwark Crown Court yesterday.

Ba Han had pleaded guilty to one count of the offence at the same court in February.

A spokesman for UK children’s charity NSPCC said: “Ba Han amassed an appalling catalogue of images and it’s right that he’s been brought to justice for this sickening crime.

 “Not only has he helped fuel the industry that creates these vile images, he also abused a position of trust, knowing full well that his actions would have immense consequences.

 “Every downloaded image is a crime scene and with every click, there are vulnerable victims of horrendous sexual abuse.”

Ba Han’s actions prompted a Met inquiry into his conduct last month, during which he was dismissed having been found to “undermine public confidence” in the Met.

Deputy Assistant Commissioner Richard Martin of the Met's Professionalism Command said: "Ba Han's abhorrent behaviour has been exposed and he has rightfully been dismissed from the Met.

"The Met has robust checks in place to identify officers and staff whose behaviour falls below the required standard and those who do will be held to account through the appropriate channels.

"In Ba Han's case this has meant a conviction through the criminal courts and dismissal from his job at the earliest opportunity."

Anyone with concerns about a child should call the NSPCC helpline on 0808 800 5000 for advice. Children can call ChildLine on 0800 1111.